Sikkema’s “Way Too Early” Projected Bucs’ 53-Man Roster

Quarterbacks – 2

QB Jameis Winston

QB J.T. Barrett
Analysis: On this roster, I’m only carrying two quarterbacks. There will likely be a third that is on the practice squad, or perhaps that third will be in this group, but as of right now, it’s Jameis Winston or bust, and I don’t really see a veteran quarterback worth spending the money on to make up for that. Instead, I’ll sign former Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett as a likely undrafted free agent.

Running Backs – 4

RB Dion Lewis

RB Dion Lewis

RB Peyton Barber

RB John Kelly
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
Analysis: Free agent Dion Lewis will go into the season as the starting running back, and I think he would fit very well in the Bucs offense. Peyton Barber will likely be the immediate back up to Lewis, but not in the sense like it was in 2017 where the Bucs were rotating deep situationally. Kelly and Rodgers would be next after that. With Rodgers having just one year left on his contract, grooming Kelly to stick after that would be ideal.

Wide Receivers – 6

WR Mike Evans

WR DeSean Jackson

WR Chris Godwin

WR Adam Humphries

WR Bobo Wilson

WR Antonio Callaway
Analysis: Mike Evans and his big new contract would once again lead the Buccaneers receiving group. If it were up to me, I would then start Chris Godwin on the opposite side and have DeSean Jackson play in the slot. This wouldn’t be a demotion for Jackson, but more of a plan to get him into open space more in 2018. Callaway would be the next receiver subbed in on the outside and Humphries, as well as BoBo Wilson, would compete for the slot back up role. Callaway and Wilson would allow the Buccaneers to have explosive options in the return game, if needed.

Tight Ends – 4

TE Cameron Brate

TE O.J. Howard

TE Antony Auclair

TE Alan Cross

Analysis: Not much change in the tight end group for 2018 other than it’s another year of each of these guys in the system and with quarterback Jameis Winston. Brate will be playing on a tender deal, and we’ll get to see if there’s a jump in confidence, versatility and production from O.J. Howard in 2018.

Offensive Line – 9

Josh Sitton – Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

LT Donovan Smith

LG Josh Sitton

C Billy Price

RG Ali Marpet

RT Demar Dotson

OL Caleb Benenoch

OL Leonard Wester
OL Avery Young

OL Brad Seaton
Analysis:This offensive line group is going to look very different from the one the Bucs trotted out in 2017. With four offensive linemen who got starter minutes gone (and five total), there’s a new identity. Smith and Dotson will still start at the tackle positions, but Price in the middle allows me to kick Marpet back to the position he played at an elite level (right guard) and pair him with Sitton on his natural side (left guard), too. You can say whatever you want about Smith, but if he’s the weakest guy on your offensive line, you’re going pretty good.

Defensive Line – 9

DE Michael Bennett
DE Will Gholston

DE Kony Ealy
DT Gerald McCoy

DT Clinton McDonald

DE Noah Spence

DE Sam Hubbard
DT Nathan Shepherd

DT Da’Ron Payne
Analysis: This unit possesses the most drastic change from the 2017 season. Whether the Bucs remain in a 4-3 base or they want to go more 3-4 fronts, I’ve given them not only the bodies, but the talent to do so. Bennett, Gholston and Ealy have the depth on the strong side edge, while Spence and Hubbard shore up the speed side — with Jeremiah Attoachu there, too. In the middle, Da’Ron Payne and Clinton McDonald are workhorses in the middle while McCoy and Nathan Shepherd can play any spot on the interior. We’re going to get to the passer in 2018 and beyond. You better believe that.

Linebackers – 6

WLB Lavonte David

MLB Kwon Alexander

SLB Kendell Beckwith

OLB Shaquem Griffin

OLB Jeremiah Attaochu 
OLB Devante Bond
Analysis: At linebacker, the starting group will be the same with David, Alexander and Beckwith, but with Griffin on the team, that allows for them to get ultra-creative in 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. Griffin has the speed to play as a disguise edge rusher or as a WILL linebacker. Attaochu also gives them another edge rushing presence from the linebacker position. He can even put his hand in the ground to rush, too. This linebacker group is a continuing build off the weapons against the pocket.

Cornerbacks – 5

Patriots CB Malcolm Butler and Bucs WR DeSean Jackson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

CB Aqib Talib
CB Malcolm Butler
CB Vernon Hargreaves III

CB Ryan Smith

CB Javien Elliott

Analysis: At cornerback, we have another drastic change. No Brent Grimes, but instead sub in Talib and Butler. That means that Hargreaves can pay his more comfortable position as a press nickel corner on the inside. Smith can be the immediate back up on the outside and Elliott will be the back up player in the slot.

Safeties – 5

FS Justin Evans

FS/SS Chris Conte

SS Marcell Harris
FS/SS Keith Tandy
S Josh Robinson

Analysis: At safety, Evans will start at the free safety spot, but the strong safety position is still up for grabs (we can’t fix it all at once). I’d like to see Tandy get the first crack at the strong safety spot, even though he’s more of a free safety. His play in 2016 warrants giving him that chance. I’m also interested to see how Harris does. Josh Robinson, along with Shaquem Griffim and Ryan Smith, will make for one elite special teams group, too.

Special Teams – 3

K Eddy Pineiro

P Bryan Anger

LS Drew Ferris

Analysis: Pineiro on the team puts all worries to rest about kickoffs and wondering if the Bucs kicker has the leg to get three points in a long range situation. I expect Anger to have a bounce back year, and for Ferris to hold his own as the long snapper

With all these changes, I think I’ve put the Bucs in prime position to compete for not only a playoff spot, but a division title like we thought they were going to do a year ago. Normally you set aside around $6 or $7 million in cap for your rookies, but with two extra picks, I’ve budgeted $8 million against the cap for that draft class. So, I’ll be going into the 2018 season with $16.2 million in cap space. I also thought about some of the future moves with the cap situation. Defensive end Will Gholston becomes expendable after next season and can free up $6 million in cap, if he’s not worth it. Plus, wide receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy’s contracts will either be up, no longer worth it or restructured by the time Jameis Winston’s contract extension must be signed. The Bucs will be living closer to the cap floor for the next few years, but that’s what happens with all winning teams.

That’s my Bucs Battle Plan!

Thoughts? Comments? Praise? Aggrement? Criticism? Death Threats?

Let’s hear it!

(Minus the death threats, please.)